THE  NEW  LIBRARY. 


WHY  HAVE  A LIBRARY? 


It  is  the  duty  of  the  state  to  give  each  future  citizen 
an  opportunity  to  learn  to  read,  it  is  equally  its  duty 
to  give  each  citizen  an  opportunity  to  use  that  power 
wisely  for  himself  and  the  state.  Wholesome  litera- 
ture can  be  furnished  to  all  the  readers  in  a community 
at  a fraction  of  the  cost  necessary  to  teach  them  "to 
read  and  the  power  to  read  may  then  become  a means 
to  a life-long  education.  A library  is  an  essential  part 
of  a broad  system  of  education,  and  a community  should 
think  it  as  disgraceful  to  be  without  a well-conducted 
library  as  to  be  without  a good  school. 

Each  town  needs  a library  to  furnish  more  practice 
in  reading  for  the  little  folks  in  school;  it  needs  it  to 
give  the  boys  and  girls  who  have  learned  to  read 
a taste  for  wholesome  literature  that  informs  and  in- 
spires; it  needs  it  as  a center  for  an  intellectual  and 
spiritual  activity  that  shall  leaven  the  whole  community 
and  make  healthful  and  inspiring  themes  the  burden  of 
the  common  thought  — substituting,  by  natural  me- 
thods, clean  conversation  and  literature  for  petty 
gos.sip,  scandal  and  oral  and  printed  teachings  in  vice. 

Libraries  are  needed  to  furnish  the  incentive  and 
the  opportunity  for  wider  study  to  the  pupils  of  the 


2 


schools;  to  teach  them  “the  science  and  art  of  read- 
ing for  a purpose:”  to  give  the  boy  or  girl  with  hidden 
talent  the  chance  to  discover  and  develop  it;  to  give 
to  the  mechanic  and  artisan  a chance  to  know  what 
their  ambitious  fellows  are  doing;  to  give  to  men  and 
women,  weary  and  worn  frbm  treading  a narrow 
round,  excursions  in  fresh  and  delightful  fields;  to 
give  to  clubs  for  study  and  amusement  material  for 
better  work  and,  last  but  not  least,  to  give  wholesome 
employment  to  all  classes  for  those  idle  hours  that 
wreck  more  lives  than  any  other  cause. 

HOW  TO  AROUSE  AND  USE  LOCAL  INTEREST  IN 
LIBRARIES. 

The*  necessity  of  a library  should  be  urged  through 
the  local  press,  upon  the  platform  and  by  private  ap- 
peals. Include  in  the  canvass  all  citizens,  irrespective 
of  creed,  business  or  politics,  whether  educated  or  illit- 
erate. To  ignore  any  class  is  to  imply  its  indifference 
to  education  and  frequently  to  make  its  leaders  hostile 
when  they  might  be  made  enthusiastic  friends.  Enlist 
the  support  of  the  teachers,  and,  through  them,  of  the 
children  and  parents.  Literary  societies,  Chautauqua 
circles,  and  debating  clubs,  should  be  earnest  champ- 
ions of  the  movement.  The  local  newspapers  will  be 
found  to  be  a powerful  agency  in  enlisting  and  sus- 
taining interest  in  the  measure. 

When  the  interest  of  the  public  is  aroused  get  a 
small  meeting  of  influential  workers,  make  a careful 
study  of  the  law  relating  to  libraries,  and  decide  upon 
some'  definite  plan  of  action.  (See  Appendix  A.)  A 
free  library,  supported  by  taxation,  can  only  be  estab-' 
lished  by  the  common  council.  Usually  the  members  of 
such  bodies  are  very  willing  to  follow  public  sentiment 
in  founding  public  enterprises  but,  like  all  other  hu- 
man beings,  they  are  governed  somewhat  by  their 
prejudices,  and  should  be  approached  by  people  whom 
they  respect,  who  have  tact  and  good  judgment.  An 


3 


enthusiastic  but  tactless  hobby-rider  may  undo  months 
of  careful  work.  In  most  cities  where  libraries  have 
been  started  the  citizens  have  raised  a fund  or  brought 
a collection  of  books  and  offered  them  to  the  public  if 
the  council  would  agree  to  found  a permanent  library. 
This  is  ordinarily  the  easiest  way  to  secure  one. 

LIBRARY  LAWS  OF  OHIO. 

In  appendix  A will  be  found  the  text  of  such  library 
laws  as  affect  the  establishment  and  maintainance  of 
public  and  school  libraries  in  most  of  the  cities  and 
towns  of  the  state.  A careful  study  of  these  laws  should 
be  made  by  those  interested  in  the  building  up  of  a new 
library. 

BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS. 

Usually  the  people  who  have  been  most  influential 
in  founding  the  library  will  be  given  the  responsibility 
of  managing  its  affairs. 

There  is  a very  general  impression  that  directors 
of  a library  board  shoud  necessarily  belong  to  some  one 
of  the  learned  professions  whose  members  are  presumed 
to  be  book-lovers.  The  management  of  a public 
library  involves  the  exercise  of  many  kinds  of  intelli- 
gence and  ability  besides  those  used  in  the  judgment 
of  books.  Directors  may  quite  as  wisely  be  selected  — 
a part  of  the  number  at  least  — because  of  eminence 
in  executive  ability,  in  business  sagacity,  in  unblem- 
ished integrity,  in  political  power,  as  for  mere  literary 
knowledge.  The  library,  in  fulfilling  its  highest  func- 
tions, will  constantly  be  thrown  into  relations  with  the 
community  which  will  bring  each  one  of  these,  and 
other  practical  qualities,  into  active  use. 

In  addition  to  qualifications  along  some  of  the  lines 
mentioned,  the  possession  of  that  tolerant  temper  which 
allows  H man  or  woman  to  work  harmoniously  and 
effectively  as  a member  of  the  board,  where  individual 
opinions  and  desires  must  always  be  balanced  and  mod- 


4 


ified  by- the  will  and  wisdom  of  the  majority,  is  also  a 
very  necessary  endowment  for  such  a position. 

. THE  LIBRARIAN. 

The  usefulness  of  the  library  will  depend  upon  its 
librarian  and  the  greatest  care  should  be  exercised 
in  selecting  that  officer.  She  should  not  be  chosen  be- 
cause she  is  somebody's  aunt,  because  she  is  poor  and 
deserving,  because  she  is  kindly,  because  she  belongs 
to  a certain  church  or  society,  nor  even  because  she 
has  a reputation  as  *a  reader  of  books.  She  should  be 
engaged  even  before  the  general  character  of  the  library 
and  plan  of  administration  have  been  determined.  She 
should  have  culture,  executive  ability,  tact,  sympathy 
for  children  and  some  knowledge  of  library  methods. 
Save  money  in  other  ways  but  never  by  employing  a 
forceless  man  or  woman  as  librarian.  Trained  libra- 
rians are  the  best,  but  if  you  have  but  little  money  and 
must  be  content  to  employ  some  local  applicant  without 
experience,  insist  that  the  appointee  shall  immediately 
make  an  intellignet  study  of  library  methods  in  some 
small  library,  in  a summer  school  of  library  science  or 
in  a library  school.  She  should  become  imbued  with 
the  ‘‘library  spirit"  and  be  keenly  alive  to  the  tremen- 
dous'possibilities  of  her  work.  She  should  learn  how 
to  get  help  from  other  librarians  and  from  the  vast 
store  of  library  experience  found  in  books,  when  she  is 
puzzled  by  professional  problems. 

Few  persons  in  a community  have  as  great  oppor- 
tunities as  the  librarian.  She  may  shape  the  reading, 
and  so  the  thoughts,  of  hundreds  of  impressionable 
children.  She  should  be  a leader  and  a teacher,  ear- 
nest, enthusiastic  and  intelligent.  She  should  be  able 
to  win  the  confidence  of  children  and  wise  to  lead  them 
by  easy  stages  from  good  books  to  the  best.  Chil- 
dren and  the  best*  children’s  books  should  be  her  con- 
stant associates  and  friends.  When  a board  of  directors 
can  secure  such  a librarian  they  may  wisely  afford  to 


employ  her  even  if  her  salary  eats  up  a large  propor- 
tion of  the  income.  A librarian  should  be,  in  fact  as 
well  as  in  theory,  the  responsible  head  of  the  library 
and  should  be  consulted  in  all  matters  relating  to 
its  management.  Directors  should  impose  responsi- 
bility, grant  freedom  and  exact  results. 

SELECTING  BOOKS. 

The  first  books  purchased  by  a library  should  in- 
clude a large  proportion  for  children;  because  the 
children  are  more  easily  trained  to  enjoy  good  books 
than  adults,  because  the  hordes  are  most  easily 
reached  through  them,  and  because  everybody  loves  the 
great  children’s  classics.  Even  the  older  people  who 
have  read  few  books  generally  begin  with  bright  books 
for  children.  A library  should  set  itself,  as  its  first  task, 
to  cultivate  the  reading  habit  among  the  masses  of  the 
people.  The  habit  of  coming  to  the  library  for  study  and 
reference  work  will  follow.  The  first  books  bought 
should  therefore  be  those  which  experience  proves  that 
people  enjoy.  They  should  be  wholesome  and  they 
must  be  interesting.  Fortunately  there  are  a few 
hundred  such  books,  many  of  them  widely  known, 
of  whose  merit  and  interest  there  is  no  doubt.  Many 
of  these  are  standards  and  can  be  bought  at  low  prices 
in  durable  editions.  The  first  purchase  may  include 
books  of  far  greater  average  merit  than  any  subsequent 
purchase.  As  far  as  the  general  reader  is  concerned 
the  best  five  hundred  popular  books  are  worth  all  the 
rest.  Be  contented  to  get  books  of  undoubted  merit 
at  first  and  save  some  of  the  money  which  can  be  used 
for  books  to  freshen  the  library  when  you  know  better 
the  tastes  of  the  readers  and  the  lines  of  reference  books 
that  will  be  most  in  demand. 

There  are  a number  of  excellent  lists  of  popular 
books  which  have  been  made  by  people  of  wide  ex- 
perience in  libraries;  some  of  these  can  be  had  for  the 
asking  and  others  are  sold  at  cost. 


6 


(For  aids  and  guides  in  the  selection  of  books,  see 
Appendix  B.) 

FITTINGS  AND  SUPPLIES. 

It  is  a common  experience  for  trustees  to  be 
alarmed  at  the  initial  expense  of  starting  even  a small 
public  library  properly.  They  forget  that  the  first  ex- 
pense is  like  equipping  a school  with  desks  and  ap- 
paratus for  succesful  work;  that  the  expense  is  incurred 
only  once  in  many  years.  However  much  good  may 
be  done,  a library  will  never  do  the*best  work  till  its 
management  recognises  the  duty  and  true  economy  of 
providing  skilled  assistance  and  the  best  labor-saving 
equipment  of  fittings  and  supplies. 

(For  fittngs  and  supplies,  see  Appendix  B.) 

LIBRARY  MANAGEMENT. 

The  best  of  all  libraries  is  a choice  collection  of 
books  in  the  home,  where  the  volumes  are  daily  com- 
panions and  stand  as  constant  incentives  to  reading. 
The  public  library  should  be  as  much  like  a model 
home  library  as  possible.  Its  shelves  should  be  acces- 
sible to  old  and  young.  Children  should  browse  among 
the  books  and  learn  to  select  their  reading  directly 
from  the  shelves.  They  should  be  trained  to  get  facts 
by  independent  research.  They  should  be  encouraged 
in  the  study  of  subjects  for  which  they  have  special 
mental  aptitudes. 

Libraries  started  with  an  assured  income,  with 
the  right  spirit,  a good  librarian,  and  entertaining 
books,  can  hardly  fail  of  success.  Many  problems 
will  arise,  as  the  library  grows;  but  great  help  may 
always  be  obtained  in  solving  them  from  the  experi- 
ence of  other  libraries.  The  final  word  of  counsel  to 
those  organizing  libraries  may  well  be  to  get  into  touch 
with  their  co-workers  in  other  libraries,  so  that  a 
great  store  of  experience  may  be  constantly^  at  their 
service. 


LIBRARIES  AND  SCHOOLS  AND  WOMEN’S  CLUBS. 

Libraries  have  won  a place  in  the  educational  sys- 
tem by  proving  their  educational  value.  They  are 
broadening  the  work  of  the  schools  and  of  mature  stu- 
dents by  giving  opportunities  for  wider  study.  In 
furnishing  such  opportunities  the  librarian  should  lead 
— should  not  wait  to  be  driven.  She  should  krtow 
when  the  sixth  grade  pupils  of  the  local  schools  are 
ready  to  study  Africa  and  all  the  suitable  books  on 
the  dark  continent  should  be  ready  for  them  and,  if 
necessary,  pushed  upon  the  attention  of  both  teachers 
and  pupils.  Before  the  children  begin  to  prepare  to 
celebrate  Washington’s  birthday,  all  the  available  ma- 
terial on  Washington’s  life  and  character  should  be 
ready  at  hand  to  tempt  them  to  further  researches. 
The  little  independent  investigations  of  the  boys  and 
girls  should  be  encouraged,  and  students  of  all  ages 
should  be  sought  out,  helped  and  trained  to  use  books 
for  reference  and  study.  While  the  child  is  attending 
school  the  work  of  the  library  is  mainly  supplemen- 
tary, but,  if  the  librarian  has  sought,  merited  and  won 
the  confidence  of  the  teacher  and  pupil  by  helping 
them  in  their  daily  work  she  can  assume  a very  differ- 
ent attitude  to  the  child  who  has  left  school.  She  may 
be  to  him  a leader  and  teacher,  inspiring  him  to  con- 
tinue his  reading  and  study  along  good  lines. 

The  needs  of  women’s  clubs,  debating  and  literary 
societies  and  all  associations  Tor  study  should  be  met 
and  anticipated  as  far  as  possible.  This  means  that 
the  librarian  should  be  in  constant  touch  with  the  lead- 
ers and  should  not  wait  for  demands  for  assistance. 
The  library  should  lead  — not  follow.  Every  wave  of 
popular  interest  and  enthusiasm  should  be  used  to 
waft  the  library  to  merited  popular  favor,  and  so  to 
greater  means  and  usefulness. 


8 


TWO  BOOK  SYSTEM. 

Many  libraries  are  using  a system  by  which  each 
borrower  is  allowed  to  draw  two  books,  of  which  only 
one  may  be  a novel.  This  system  has  proved  very  suc- 
cessful and  has  led  many  patrons  of  libraries  to  read 
a much  larger  proportion  of  books  of  history,  biogra- 
phy, travel,  science  and  literature. 

In  Public  Libraries  (May,  1897)  may  be  found  an 
excellent  description  of  the  value,  and  something  of 
the  methods,  of  this  system. 

LIBRARY  SCHOOLS. 

There  are  library  schools,  with  courses  of  one  and 
two  years,  in  connection  with  the  State  Library, 
Albany,  N.  Y. ; the  University  of  Illinois,  Champaign, 
111.;  Pratt  Institute,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.;  and  Drexel 
Institute,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  All  of  these  schools  are 
doing  invaluable  work,  and  are  sending  out  graduates 
who  are  well  trained  and  enthusiastic.  Further  in- 
formation in  regard  to  their  courses  of  instruction  may 
be  obtained  by  addressing  the  directors  of  the  library 
school  departments  of  the  institutions  named  above. 

SUMMER  SCHOOLS. 

Short  courses  in  library  science  are  given  each 
summer  at  the  library  school,  Albany,  N.  Y. , the  Uni- 
versity of  Wisconsin,  Madison,  Wis.,  and  Amherst  . 
College  Library,  Amherst,  Mass. 

LIBBARY  ASSOCIATIONS. 

The  American  Library  Association  is  the  national 
organization  of  persons  connected  with  libraries.  It  is 
fostering  library  interests  in  many  ways  and  its  annual 
meetings  are  noteworthy  among  educatioal  gatherings. 
The  proceedings  of  these  meetings  are  printed  in  full 


and  distributed  to  all  members.  The  association  pub- 
lishes a “hand-book”  which  gives  full  information  of 
its  work.  Copies  may  be  obtained  by  writing  to  the 
secretary,  H.  J.  Carr,  Scranton,  Pa. 

OHIO  LIBBARY  ASSOCIATION. 

The  Ohio  Library  Association  was  organized  in 
1895  and  has  held  four  annual  conferences.  It  invites 
to  its  membership  not  only  librarians,  library  trustees 
and  teachers,  but  all  friends  of  libraries.  Its  meetings 
are  enthusiastic  and  inspiring  and  they  have  done  much 
to  develop  the  interest  in  public  libraries  throughout 
the  state.  The  programs  of  the  association  are  inter- 
esting and  helpful,  the  social  atmosphere  is  congenial 
and  new  members  are  cordially  welcomed  and  made  to 
feel  at  home.  There  is  a college  library  section,  organ- 
ized in  1895,  to  deal  specially  with  college  library 

problems  and  with  the  earnest  desire  to  aid  in 
the  solution  of  these  problems  by  bringing  the 

college  libraries  of  the  State  into  closer  touch. 

One  session  of  the  association  is  given  to  the 

trustees,  whose  ranks  include  many  of  our  citi- 
zens who  are  distinguished  for  scholarship,  public 
spirit,  and  business,  political  or  executive  ability.  No 
one  who  is  interested  in  libraries  can  afford  to  miss  these 
annual  conferences.  The  progressive  libraries  are  find- 
ing it  profitable  to  require  their  librarians  to  attend 
these  meetings  and  also  to  pay  their  expenses. 

Any  one  wishing  to  join  the  association  may  do 
so  by  sending  his  name  and  the  fee  (fifty  cents)  to  the 
secretary,  Mr.  Charles  Orr,  Case  Library,  Cleve- 
land, O.,  and  they  will  receive  copies  of  all  printed 
matter  sent  out  by  the  association.  Mr.  Robinson 
Locke,  of  Toledo,  is  president,  and  Miss  K.  W.  Sher- 
wood, of  the  Cincinnati  Public  Library,  is  treasurer. 


10 


LIBBARY  EXTENSION. 

The  Library  Extension  Committee  of  the  O.  L.  A. 
is  a working  committee  empowered  by  the  association 
to  act  as  an  official  Bureau  of  Information,  to  collect 
library  statistics,  and  to  give  all  possible  aid  in  the 
shape  of  information  needed  by  new  libraries,  and  by 
libraries  which  have  outgrown  their  old  methods.  This 
committee  is  as  follows: 

J.  F.  McGrew,  Springfield,  chairman,  Miss  Alice 
Boardman,  State  Library,  Columbus,  ^secrectary, 
Miss  Esther  Crawford,  Public  Library,  Dayton,  Miss 
Linda  A.  Eastman,  Public  Library,  Cleveland,  Mr. 
Charles  Orr,  secretary  O.  L.  A.,  ex-officio.  Any  per- 
son who  is  willing  to  act  as  correspondent  for  this 
committee,  in  furthering  the  library  interests  of 
any  town  or  section  of  the  state,  is  asked  to  notify 
the  secretary  of  the  committee. 

(See  Appendix  D.) 

women's  clubs. 

The  library  progress  of  the  state  during  the  past  few 
years  owes  much  to  the  efforts  of  the  State  Federation 
of  Women’s  Clubs.  The  Library  Extension  Com- 
mittee of  the  federation  consists  of  Mrs.  John  Mack, 
712  Wayne  St.,  Sandusky,  chairman,  Mrs.  Elroy  M. 
Avery,  657  Woodland  Hills,  Cleveland,  Mrs.  M.  M. 
Battels,  222  Main  St.,  Ashtabula,  Miss  Alice  Board- 
man,  Ohio  State  Library,  Columbus,  and  Miss  Caddie 
Whaley,  Court  St.,  Pomeroy. 

teachers’  associations. 

At  its  annual  meeting  in  1897„  the  Ohio  .State 
Teachers’  Association  established  a Library  Section 
with  a view  to  closer  co-operation  between  libraries 
and  schools. 

The  National  Educational  Association  has  also  es- 
tablished a library  section  and  an  account  of  the 


11 


proceedings  of  this  section  will  be  given  in  the  volume 
annually  published  by  the  larger  organization.  Pres. 
L.  D.  Harvey,  of  Milwaukee,  is  chairman  of  the  sec- 
tion, and  Miss  Myrtilla  Avery,  of  Albany,  N.  Y., 
is  secretary. 

TRAVELING  LIBRARIES. 

A system  of  traveling  libraries  has  been  put  into 
operation  by  the  State  Library.  Since  Oct.  9,  1896, 
627  of  these  libraries  have  been  sen^t  out  to  various 
parts  of  the  state;  of  these,  123  were  sent  to  the 
granges,  113  to  women’s  clubs,  172  to  schools,  and 
196  to  other  organizations.  575  have  been  sent  out 
since  Nov.  15,  1897. 

Any  library,  school,  club  or  other  organization  may 
borrow  books  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  for 
traveling  libraries;  communications  should  be  sent  to 
C.  B.  Galbreath,  librarian,  State  Library,  Columbus, 
Ohio. 

STATE  PUBLICATIONS. 

Through  a law  which  passed  the  legislature  in  1898, 
the  State  Library  becomes  a distributing  centre  for 
state  publications.  These  publications  are  increasing 
in  number  and  value  each  year,  and  every  library 
should  endeavor  to  make  its  file  of  Ohio  documents 
as  complete  as  possible.  A very  valuable  check  list 
of  Ohio  publications  was  compiled  by  Mr.  R.  P. 
Hayes,  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Library 
Commission,  and  published  in  1897.  Requisitions  for 
this  and  for  all  state  documents  should  be  made  to 
C.  B.  Galbreath,  librarian,  State  Library,  Coumbus, 
Ohio. 

U.  S.  DOCUMENTS. 

A prominent  librarian  who  has  had  a long  and  suc- 
cessful experience  in  getting  public  documents  for 
libraries  has  kindly  given,  in  a letter  to  this  commis- 
sion, a number  of  hints  to  help  in  the  perplexing  prob- 


12 


lem  of  how  to  obtain  copies  of  government  publications. 
He  writes  as  follows: 

“It  is  not  easy  to  give  the  information  you  ask  for 
as  to  the  classes'  of  public  documents  that  can  be  ob- 
tained by  small  free  public  libraries,  because  what  can 
be  obtained  depends  so  largely  on  the  enterprise  and 
‘gumption’  of  the  librarian.  One  who  knows  how  may 
obtain  almost  everything  that  is  worth  having,  while 
one  who  is  dilatory  and  inaccurate  about  asking  may 
get  almost  nothing. 

“Members  of  Congress  have  allotments  of  the  cloth 
editions  of  almost  all  the  documents  that  libraries 
want.  These  allotments  are  often  small,  and  the  ear- 
liest applicants  are  the  only  ones  who  can  be  supplied. 
The  librarian  who  keeps  herself  informed  of  what  is 
being  published  and  asks  for  it  promptly  will  usually 
get  it.  If  such  an  enterprising  librarian  finds  that  her 
Senator  or  Representative  does  not  respond  to  her  re- 
quests, she  has  another  recourse,  namely,  the  Bureau, 
•or  Division,  or  Survey  or  Commission,  or  office  by 
which  the  desired  .document  is  published.  Every 
Government  office  that  prepares  books  for  publication 
has  a supply  of  its  own  books  for  free  distribution.  Fre- 
quently the  number  is  small,  and  prompt  application 
is  advisable  in  dealing  with  a bureau  as  well  as  with 
a member  of  Congress.  If  sets  are  desired,  it  is  often 
practicable  for  a library,  by  judicious  application, 
made  in  a way  to  show  that  an  intelligent  use  will  be 
made  of  the  publications,  to  get  on  the  permanent 
mailing  lists  of  the  Bureau  of  Education,  the  Depart- 
ment of  Labor,  the  Fish  Commission,  the  Office  of 
Experiment  Stations  in  the  Department  of  Agriculture, 
or  other  publishing  offices  whose  bulletins  or  reports 
may  be  desired  by  the  library.  The  time  to  apply 
for  the  Congressional  Record  and  the  Congres- 
sional Directory  is  at  the  opening,  or  shortly  before 
the  opening,  of  each  session  of  Congress.  Then  the 
mailing  lists  are  made  up.  There  is  no  source  of  free 
supply  for  these  publications  except  the  favor  of  Sena- 


13 


tors  and  Representatives,  and  their  allotments  are  com- 
paratively limited,  so  that  late  applicants  are  likely  to 
be  disappointed.  Members  of  Congress  can  supply 
either  the  numbers  of  the  Record  issued  daily  during 
the  session  or  the  complete  work  in  bound  volumes 
issued  after  the  close  of  the  session.  The  daily  num- 
bers may  be  preserved  and  bound,  but  they  will  not 
agree  in  pagination  with  the  Government’s  bound 
volumes.” 


APPENDIX  A. 


LIBRARY  LAWS  OF  OHIO. 


An  act  providing  for  the  creation  of  library  boards  for  certain 
cities  and  villages  and  prescribing  the  duties  of  such  boards. 


Section  1.  Public  libraries 
and  reading  rooms ; library 
fund;  How  expended. 

Section  2.  Directors;  appoint- 
ment ; term  ; Classes  ; Vacan- 
cies ; Compensation. 

Section  3.  Organization  of 
Directors  ; by-laws,  rules,  and 
regulations;  Control  of  expen- 
ditures; Custody  of  building ; 
how  money  drawn  from  treas- 
ury; Library  building;  Libra- 
rian and  assistants ; rules* 


Section  4.  To  whom  libraries 
and  reading  rooms  are  free; 
rules  and  regulations ; viola- 
tion of  rules. 

Section  5.  Annual  report  of 
directors. 

Section  6.  Donations  for  bene- 
fit of  library. 

Section  7.  Levy  for  support 
of  free  public  library  estab- 
lished by  associations  ; Control 
of  proceeds.  When  property 
subject  to  control  of  council. 


Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  State  of  Ohio,  That  the  common  council  of 
every  city  not  exceeding  in  population  thirty  thousand 
inhabitants,  and  of  every  incorporated  village  shall 
have  power  to  establish  a public  library  and  reading 
room,  and  for  such  purpose  may  annually  levy  and 
cause  to  be  collected,  as  other  general  taxes  are,  a 
tax  not  exceeding  one  mill  on  a dollar  of  the  taxable 
property  of  such  city  or  village,  to  constitute  a library 
fund,  which  shall  be  kept  by  the  treasurer  separate 
and  apart  from  other  money  of  the  city  or  village  and 
be  used  exclusively  for  the  purchase  of  books,  perio- 
dicals, necessary  furniture  and  fixtures,  and  whatever 
is  required  for  the  maintenance  of  such  library  and 
reading  room. 

Section  2.  For  the  government  of  such  library  and 
reading  room  there  shall  be  a board  of  six  directors 
appointed  by  the  council  of  such  city  or  village  from 

*4 


15 


among  the  citizen’s  thereof  at  large,  and  not  more 
than  one  member  of  the  council  of  such  city  or  village 
shall  at  any  one  time  be  member  of  said  board.  Such 
directors  shall  hold  their  office  for  three  years  from  the 
date  of  appointment,  and  until  their  successors  are 
appointed,  but  upon  their. first  appointment  they  shall 
divide  themselves  at  their  first  meeting  by  lot,  into 
three  classes,  one-third  for  one  year,  one-third  for 
two  years  and  one-third  for  three  years,  and  their  term 
shall  expire  accordingly.  All  vacancies  shall  be  imme- 
diately reported  by  the  directors  to  the  proper  council, 
and  be  filled  by  appointment  in  like  manner;  and  if 
an  unexpired  term,  for  the  residue  of  the  term  only. 
No  compensation  whatever  shall  be  paid  or  allowed 
to  any  director. 

Section  3.  Said  directors  shall,  immediately  after 
their  appointment,  meet  and  organize  by  the  election 
of  one  of  their  number  president,  and  by  the  election  of 
such  other  officers  as  they  may  deem  necessary.  They 
shall  make  and  adopt  such  by-laws,  rules  and  regula- 
tions for  their  own  guidance,  and  for  the  government 
of  the  library^  and  reading  room,  as  may  be  expe- 
dient. They  shall  have  the  exclusive  control  of  the 
expenditures  of  all  the  moneys  collected  for  the  library 
fund,  and  the  supervision,  care  and  custody  of  the 
room  or  buildings  constructed,  leased  or  set  apart  for 
that  purpose,  and  such  money  shall  be  drawn  from 
the  treasury  by  the  proper  officers,  upon  the  properly 
authenticated  voucher  of  the  board  of  directors,  with- 
out otherwise  being  audited.  They  may,  with  the 
approval. of  the  common  council,  lease  and  occupy, 
or  purchase,  or  erect  on  purchased  ground,  an  ap- 
propriate building,  provided  that  no  more  than  one 
half  the  income  in  any  one  year  can  be  set  apart  in 
said  year  for  such  purchase  or  building.  They  may 
appoint  a librarian  and  assistants,  and  prescribe  rules 
for  their  conduct. 

Section  4.  Every  library  and  reading  room  estab- 
lished under  this  chapter  shall  be  forever  free  for  the 


16 


use  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  or  village  where 
located,  always  subject  to  such  reasonable  rules  and 
regulations  as  the  library  board  may  find  necessary 
to  adopt  and  publish  in  order  to  render  the  use  of  said 
library  and  reading  room  of  the  greatest  benefit  to 
the  greatest  number;  ahd  they  may  exclude  and  cut 
off  from  the  use  of  said  library  and  reading  room 
any  and  all  persons  who  shall  willfully  violate  such 
rules. 

Section  5.  The  said  board  of  directors  shall  make 
an  annual  report  to  such  council  stating  the  condition 
of  their  trust — the  various  sums  of  money  received  from 
the  library  fund  and  from  all  other  sources,  and  how 
much  has  been  expended;  the  number  of  books  and 
periodicals  on  hand;  the  number  added  by  purchase, 
gift  or  otherwise  during  the  year;  the  number  lost  or 
missing;  the  number  of  books  loaned  out  and  the 
general  kind  and  character  of  such  books,  with  other 
statistics,  information  and  suggestions  as  they  may 
deem  of  general  interest. 

Section  6.  All  persons  desirous  of  making  dona- 
tions of  money,  personal  property  or  real  estate  for 
the  benefit  of  such  library  shall  have  right  to  vest  the 
title  of  the  same  in  the  board  of  directors  created 
under  this  law  to  be  held  and  controlled  by  said  board 
when  accepted  according  to  the  terms  of  the  deed  or 
gift,  devise  or  bequest  of  such  property,  and  as  to 
such  property,  the  said  board  shall  be  held  and  con- 
sidered to  be  the  special  trustees. 

Section  7.  In  case  a free  public  library  has  been 
established  in  any  city  or  incorporated  village  and  duly 
incorporated  and  organized,  the  council  may  levy  a 
tax  for  its  support  as  provided  in  this  act  without 
change  in  the  organization  of  such  library  associations, 
and  the  sums  so  raised  shall  be  paid  to  the  officer 
duly  authorized  to  receive  the  same,  and  shall  be  under 
the  control  of  said  library  association;  provided  that 
if  at  any  time  such  library  association  ceases  to  exist 
or  ,from  any  reason  fails  to  provide  a free  circulating 


17 


library  as  required  by  the  provisions  of  this  act,  the 
books  and  other  property  accumulated  from  the  pro- 
ceeds of  the  levy  herein  authorized  shall  become  the 
property  of  the  city  or  village  and  be  subject  to  the 
control  of  the  council  as  herein  provided. 

Section  8.  This  act  shall  take  effect  and  be  in 
force  from  and  after  its  passage. 

LEWIS  C.  LAYLIN, 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

ANDREW  L.  HARRIS, 

President  of  the  Senate. 

Passed  March  15,-  1892. 


SCHOOL  LIBRARIES. 


Section  3995.  Certain  Boards 
may  appropriate  money  for  li- 
brary, etc.  See  Sup. 

Section  3999.  In  certain  cities 
board  of  education  may  ap- 


point board  of  managers  of  li- 
brary ; board  of  trustees  of  li- 
brary in  certain  cities  (Cincin- 
nati) . 


Section  3995.  In  any  district  the  board  of  education 
may  appropriate  money  from  the  contingent  fund  for 
the  purchase  of  such  books,  other  than  school  books, 
as  it  may  deem  suitable  for  the  use  and  improvement 
of  the  scholars  and  teachers  of  the  district,  and  in  the 
purchase  of  philosophical  or  other  apparatus  for  the 
demonstration  of  such  branches  of  education  as  may 
be  taught  in  the  school  of  the  district,  dr  for  either  of 
such  purposes;  but  not  more  than  one  half  the  amount 
herein  authorized  to  be  appropriated  shall  be  expended 
in  the  purchase  of  such  apparatus;  such  appropriations 
shall  not  exceed,  in  any  one  year,  twelve  hundred  dol- 
lars imcity  districts  containing  cities  of  the  first  grade  of 
the  first  class,  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  in  city  dis- 
tricts of  the  second  class,  and  seventy-five  dollars  in 
other  districts;  and  the  books  so  purshased  shall  consti- 
tute a school  library,  the  control  and  management  of 


18 


which  shall  be  vested  in  the  board  of  education.  The 
board  of  education  of  any  city  of  the  second  class, 
fourth  grade,  having  a free  public  library  organized, 
in  pursuance  of  law,  may  allow  such  free  public  library 
associations  the  use  and  control  of  the  public  school 
library,  subject  however,  to  such  rules,  regulations 
and  restrictions  as  said  board  of  education  may  pre- 
scribe for  the  use  and  control  thereof.  (64  v.  62,  Sec. 

3.) 

Section  3999.  In  cities  not  having  less  than 
twenty-five  thousand  inhabitants,*  the  boards  of  edu- 
cation having  custody  of  any  public  library  therein, 
may,  at  any  regular  meeting,  adopt  a resolution  pro- 
viding for  a board  of  managers  of  such  library  and 
shall  thereupon  elect,  by  ballot,  two  persons  to  serve 
as  members  of  such  board  for  a term  of  two  years, 
and  two  persons  to  serve  a term  of  one  year;  and  annu- 
ally thereafter  two  persons  shall  be  elected  to  serve  for 
a term  of  three  years;  all  vacancies  in  such  board  shall 
be  filled  by  the  board  of  education  by  ballot,  and  the 
person  so  elected  shall  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  his 
predecessor;  the  president  of  the  board  of  education 
shall  be  a member  of  the  board  of  managers  ex-officio; 
and  the  board  of  managers  shall  at  all  times  be  amen- 
able to  and  under  the  control  of  the  board  of  education, 
as  to  tenure  of  office  and  authority,  and  shall  serve 
without  compensation;  provided,  however,  that  in  the 
cities  of  the  first  grade  of  the  first  class,  the  board  of 
managers  of  the  public  library  therein  is  hereby  abol- 
ished, and  a board  of  trustees  of  such  library  shall  be 
appointed  as  follows,  viz:  the  board  of  education  of 
the  school  district  of  such  city,  the  union  board  of 
high  schools,  and  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  such  city  shall  each  by  ballot  appoint  two 
persons  to  serve  for  three  years  each  as  members 
of  a board  of  trustees  of  sand  public  library,  and  at 
the  expiration  of  each  term  of  three  years,  said  board 
shall  each  likewise  make  appointments  for  the  suc- 
ceeding three  years.  All  vacancies  in  said  board  of 


trustees  of  said  library  shall  be  likewise  filled,  by  the 
board  making  the  appointment  vacated,  to  serve  for 
the  remainder  of  the  term  thus  unexpired.  The  presi- 
dent of  the  board  of  education  of  such  school  district, 
shall  be  ex-officio  member  of  the  said  library  board, 
and  otherwise,  no  member  of  any  board  exercising 
the  appointing  powers  herein  conferred  shall  be  ap- 
pointed as  a member  of  said  library  board.  (88  v.  46.) 


CITIES  AND  VILLAGES  — ENUMERATION  OF 
POWERS. 

Section  1692.  In  addition  to  the  powers  specifically 
granted  in  this  title,  and  subject  to  the  exceptions  and 
limitations  in  other  parts  of  it,  cities  and  villages  shall 
have  the  general  powers  enumerated  in  this  section, 
and  the  council  may  provide  by  ordinance  for  the 
exercise  and  enforcement  of  the  same. 

To  establish  and  maintain  free,  public  libraries 
and  reading  rooms,  and  to  purchase  books,  papers, 
maps  and  manuscripts  therefor,  and  to  receive  dona- 
tions and  bequests  of  money  or  property  for  the  same 
in  trust  jor  otherwise;  and  the  council  may  appoint 
such  trustees  or  officers-,  and  confer  on  tfiem  such  au- 
thority as  may  be  necessary  to  render  any  reading  room 
so  established  of  public  utility;  and  may,  also,  pass 
necessary  by-laws,  and  regulations  for  the  protection 
and  government  of  the  same. 


OFFICERS  OF  CIVIL  TOWNSHIPS  — MISCELLA- 
NEOUS POWERS. 


Section  1476.  Question  of  pub- 
lic library  shall  be  submitted 
to  electors. 

Section  1477.  Trustees  of  li- 
brary appointment  of. 


Section  1478.  Transfer  of 
books  of  school  libraries  to 
township  library. 


20 


Section  1476.  The  trustees  of  a township  in  which 
is  situated  a vilage,  having  a population  of  not  more 
than  one  thousand,  on  the  petition  of  twenty  electors 
thereof,  shall  upon  four  weeks’  public  notice  published 
in  some  newspaper  of  general  circulation  in  the  county, 
submit  to  the  electors  of  such  township,  at  some  gen- 
eral election  in  April  or  October,  the  question  whether 
there  shall  be  a public  library  established  in  such  town- 
ship for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  citizens  thereof, 
and  those  voting  at  such  election  in  favor  of  such  li- 
brary, shall  put  upon  their  ballots  the  words,  “Public 
Library  — Yes,”  and  those  voting  thereat  against  such 
library,  the  words,  “Public  Library  — No,”  and  if  a 
majority  of  electors  voting  at  such  election  vote  in 
favor  thereof,  the  trustees  aforesaid  have  authority, 
annually,  to  levy  upon  all  the  taxable  property  of 
such  township,  a tax  not  exceeding  one-tenth  of  one 
mill  on  the  dollar  valuation  thereof,  to  be  applied  to 
the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  a library,  as 
aforesaid,  and  the  procuring  of  a suitable  room  or 
rooms  for  the  same.  (70  v.  244,  Sec.  1.) 

Section  1477.  The  trustees  shall  appoint  three  trus- 
tees of  said  library,  and  confer  upon  them  such  au- 
thority as  may  be  necessary  to  render  any  library 
so  established  of  public  utility;  and  said  library  shall 
be  conducted  and  cared  for  under  such  rules  and  regu- 
lations as  such  library  trustees  prescribe.  (70  v.  244, 
Sec.  1.) 

Section  1478.  The  library  trustees  have  authority 
by  and  with  the  consent  of  the  local  boards  of  edu- 
cation, or  other  school  officers  having  the  same  in 
charge,  to  receive  and  place  in  said  library,  the  books 
of  the  school  library,  subject  at  all  times  to  the  call 
of  the  said  boards  of  education  or  other  school  officers. 
(70  v.  244  Sec.  1.) 


21 


FARM  LABORERS’  ASSOCIATION. 

Section  3847.  May  maintain  libraries,  etc. 

Sectin  3848.  All  such  incorporated  associations  may 
keep  and  maintain  libraries,  and  a museum  of  art 
consisting  of  models  of  such  improved  instruments 
and  machinery  as  are  best  calculated  to  promote  the 
interests  of  agriculture,  for  the  benefit  of  such  associa- 
tions, under  such  rules  and  regulations  as  its  members 
from  time  to  time  adopt,  and  may  make  all  needful 
by-laws  for  the  good  government  and  regulation  of 
the  same.  (74  v.  2Q4,  Sec.  11.) 


SENATE  BILL  No.  15. 


Law  of  February  16,  1898,  under  which  Greenfield,  Gallipolis 
and  Pomeroy  are  now  proceeding  to  establish  libraries. 


An  act  to  authorize  cities  of  the  fourth  grade  of  the  second  class 
to  levy  a tax  for  maintenance  of  a free  public  and  school 
library.  v 


Section  1.  Library  associa- 
tion in  cities  of  fourth  grade, 
second  class  ; levy  of  tax. 
Section  2.  Disposition  of  tax. 


Section  3.  Association  to  ren- 
der account ; power  to  levy  tax. 

Section  4.  Tax  to  be  in  lieu 
of  other  taxes ; purchase  of 
school  apparatus ; levy. 


Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  State  of  Ohio,  That  in  any  city  of  the  fourth 
grade  of  the  second  class,  and  in  which  city  there  is 
established  and  maintained  by  a public  library  associa- 
tion duly  incorporated  but  not  organized  for  profit, 
a public  library  free  to  all  the  inhabitants  of  such  city* 
the  board  of  education  shall  levy  or  cause  to  be  levied 
an  annual  tax,  in  addition  if  need  be  to  the  annual 
amount  of  taxes  limited  by  law  for  school  purposes, 
of  not  less  than  three-tenths  and  not  to  exceed  five- 
tenths  of  a mill  on  all  the  taxable  property  within  such 
city  and  school  district  to  be  called  “a  public  library 


22 


fund,”  which  shall  be  certified  to  the  county  auditor 
of  the  county  and  placed  on  the  tax  duplicate  of  the 
county,  and  collected  as  other  taxes. 

Section  2.  Said  tax  when  so  levied  and  collected 
shall  be  paid  over  by  the  treasurer  of  the  board  of  edu- 
cation to  the  treasurer  of  said  library  association, 
to  be  used  only  in  the  purchase  of  books,  pamphlets, 
magazines  or  newspapers,  and  for  the  general  library 
expenses  of  said  library  association. 

Section  3.  Said  board  of  education  shall  require 
said  library  association  to  render  an  account  as  often 
as  it  shall  deem  proper  of  all  taxes  so  received  by  it, 
and  how  the  same  have  been  expended,  and  power  to 
levy  a tax  under  this  act  shall  continue  only  so  long 
as  said  association  shall  keep  up  and  maintain  in  a 
public  place  in  such  city  a public  library  free  to  all 
the  inhabitants  thereof  and  to  all  persons  residing 
within  said  school  district. 

Section  4.  The  tax  so  levied  shall  be  in  lieu  of  all 
other  taxes  levied  for  school  library  purposes,  and 
no  other  levy  shall  be  made  for  such  purpose;  provided, 
however,  that  nothing  herein  shall  prohibit  the  board 
of  education  from  purchasing  all  necessary  philoso- 
phical or  other  apparatus  for  the  schools  and  making 
necessary  levies  therefor. 

Section  5.  This  act  shal  take  effect  and  be  in  force 
from  and  after  its  passage. 

HARRY  C.  MASON, 

Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 
THADDEUS  E.  CROMLEY, 
President  pro.  tern,  of  the  Senate. 

Passed  February  15,  1898. 


APPENDIX  B, 


AIDS  AND  GUIDES  IN  LIBRARY  ECONOMY. 

HINTS  TO  SMALL  LIBRARIES;  revised  and  enlarged.— 
M.  W.  Plummer.  Truslove  & Comba,  N.  Y.  1898. 
5Q  cents. 

Contents. — Receiving  and  entering  books;  book 
numbers  and  cataloging;  shelf  list  and  inventory; 
mechanical  preparation  of  books  for  the  shelves;  bind- 
ing; relations  with  the  public;  charging  system;  read- 
ing room  and  reference  work;  selecting  and  ordering 
books;  rooms  and  fixtures;  library  tools. 

DENVER  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  HAND-BOOK.— J.  C.  Dana, 
Ed.  Carson-Harper  Co..  Denver,  Col.,  1895.  182  p., 

cloth  $1.00. 

Contents. — Starting  a library;  advertising  a library; 
selecting  books;  books  suggested  for  a school  library; 
buying  books;  periodicals;  some  periodicals  suitable 
for  a small  library;  lending  books;  catalogs;  charging 
books;  suggestions  to  assistants;  accession  work; 
routine  work;  cataloging  and  classifying  a small  li- 
brary; binding;  inventory;  books  on  library  work; 
index. 

PUBLIC  LIBRARIES  IN  AMERICA.— W.  I.  Fletcher. 
Roberts  Bros.  1894.  $1.00. 

Contents. — The  public  library  movement,  its  his- 
tory and  significance;  library  laws;  public  library  and 
the  community;  library  buildings;  classification  and 
^ catalogs;  minor  details  of  library  management;  selec- 
tion and  purchase  of  books;  reference  work;  public 
library  in  relation  to  the  schools;  university  exten- 
sion, etc.;  librarian,  his  work,  and  his  training  for  it; 

23 


24 


American  library  association;  a few  representative  li- 
braries; special  libraries;  public  libraries  in  Canada; 
the  future  of  the  public  library.  Appendix:  1,  Scheme 
of  classification;  2,  Special  collections;  3,  Sunday 
opening  of  libraries;  4,  Gifts  to  libraries;  5,  Statistics; 
6,  Library  rules;  7,  Biographic  sketches. 

Papers  prepared  for  the  American  Library  Associa- 
tion in  1893.  Melvil  Dewey,  Ed.  Government  Printing 
Office,  Washington. 

This  is  a collection  of  the  papers  written  for  the 
meeting  of  the  A.  L.  A.,  which  was  held  at  the  Colum- 
bian Exposition.  They  were  published  in  pamphlet 
form  by  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Education  and  may  be  had 
without  cost  by  application  to  that  department  in 
Washington. 


BOOKS  ON  CLASSIFICATION  AND  CATALOGING. 

DEWEY.  M.— DECIMAL  CLASSIFICATION  AND  RELATIVE 
INDEX.  5th  ed.  Morroco  $5.00.  Library  Bureau,  125 
Franklin  street,  Chicago,  111. 

ABRIDGED  DECIMAL  CLASSIFICATION  AND  RELA- 
TIVE INDEX.  Library  Notes,  v.  4,  Nos.  13,  14.  Paper, 
50  cents.  Library  Bureau,  125  Franklin  street,  Chi- 
cago, 111. 

Note. — This  abridgement  was  made  in  answer  to 
a strong  demand  for  a short  form  adapted  to  the  needs 
of  small  and  slowly  growing  libraries. 

CUTTER,  C.  A.— RULES  FOR  A DICTIONARY  CATALOG. 

3 ed.  1891.  (In  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Education  Special 
Report  on  Public  Libraries,  pt.  2.)  Address  U.  S. 
Bureau  of  Education,  Washington,  D.  C. 

EXPANSIVE  CLASSIFICATION.  Parts  1-6  now  pub- 
lished; (work  unfinished).  Write  for  particulars  to 
Mr.  C.  A.  Cutter,  Forbes  Library,  Northampton, 
Mass. 


25 


CARD  CATALOGUE  RULES.— Library  School  Rules  for 
author  and  classed  catalogs,  edited  by  Melvil  Dewey. 
Library  Bureau,  125  Franklin  street,  Chicago.  $1.00. 
(Includes  Accession  and  Shelf  List  Rules.) 

LIST  OF  SUBJECT  HEADINGS  FOR  USE  IN  DICTIONARY 
CATALOGS.  A.  L.  A.  Library  Bureau.  125  Franklin 
street,  Chicago.  $2.00. 

CUTTER  S DECIMAL  AUTHOR  TABLE.  A scheme  for  giv- 
ing to  each  work  its  own  exclusive  book  number,  so 
contrived  that  the  books  stand  on  the  shelves  alphabeted 
by  authors  under  each  subject.  Library  Bureau.  125 
Franklin  street,  Chicago.  $1.25. 


RULES  FOR  BORROWERS  IN  A SMALL  LIBRARY. 

Rules  should  be  as  simple  as  possible  and  not  be 
desingned  to  restrict  liberty  but  to  prevent  encroach- 
ment and  secure  the  greatest  good  to  all. 

RULES. 

Borrowers. — Adults  are  entitled  to  draw  books  by 
filling  out  an  application  blank.  Children  must  obtain 
the  signature  of  parent  or  other  responsible  guarantor. 

Borrower’s  Card. — If  a borrower’s  card  is  lost,  a 
new  one  will  be  given  after  seven  days’  notice  or  upon 
payment  of  five  cents. 

Number  of  Volumes. — (1)  Two  books  not  fiction, 
or  (2)  one  work  of  fiction  and  one  not  fiction  may  be 
drawn  at  a time.  Two  volumes  of  the  same  work  are 
considered  as  one  book. 

Time  Kept. — A book  may  bexkept  two  weeks, 
except  recent  fiction  marked  “Iseven  Day  Book.” 

Renewal. — AH  books,  other  than  “Seven  Day 
Books,”  may  be  renewed  for  fourteen  days. 

Over  Due  Books. — A fine  of  one  cent  a day  will 
be  imposed  for  books  kept  over  time. 


26 


Hours. — The  library  shall  be  open  every  week  day, 
holidays  excepted,  from  to  . 


BY-LAWS  SUGGESTED  FOR  BOARDS  OF  DIREC- 
TORS OF  SMALL  PUBLIC  LIBRARIES. 

By-laws  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Free 
Library  of  , Ohio. 

1.  Officers. — The  officers  of  the  Board  shall  be  a 
President,  Vice-President  and  Secretary,  who  shall 
be  elected  annually  from  their  own  members. 

The  President  shall  perform  the  duties  generally  per- 
taining to  that  office. 

The  Vic^-President  shall,  in  the  absence  or  dis- 
ability of  the  President,  perform  all  the  duties  of  the 
President. 

The  Secretary  shall  record  all  the  official  actions  of 
the  Board  and  have  custody  of  all  its  official  books, 
records  and  accounts  except  those  in  current  use  by 
another  officer. 

2.  Meetings. — The  regular  meetings  of  the  Board 

shall  be  on  the  (third  Monday)  of  each  month  at 

p.  m.,  at  the  library. 

The  annual  meeting  shall  be  on  the  (third  Monday) 
of  July  in  each  year. 

Special  meetings  shall  be  called  by  the  President 
or  by  request  of  any  two  trustees  for  the  transaction 
only  of  business  stated  in  the  call.  v 

Six  members  shall  constitute  a quorum. 

3.  Committees. — At  the  annual  meeting  the  Presi- 
dent shall  appoint  standing  committees  as  follows: 
a committee  of  three  members  on  library,  a committee 
of  three  members  on  finance  and  a committee  of  four 
members  on  rooms. 

The  committee  on  library  shall  supervise  the  selec- 
tion, buying,  exchange  and  binding  of  books  and  peri- 


27 


odicals,  and  have  general  supervision  of  the  adminis- 
tration'of  the  library  and  reading  room. 

The  finance  committee  shall  have  charge  of  all 
library  finances,  examine  and  report  upon  all  bills 
against  the  Board,  and  make  an  annual  investigation 
of  and  report  upon  the  library  fund  in  the  hands  of  the 
City  (or  Village)  Treasurer. 

The  committee  on  rooms  shall  have  general  charge 
of  the  heating,  lighting  and  arrangement  of  the  rooms, 
and  the  care  of  the  fixtures  and  furniture. 

4.  Claims. — All  claims  against  the  Board  must  be 
presented  at  a meeting  of  the  board  and  referred  to 
the  committee  on  finance  for  investigation  and  report. 
The  President  and  Secretary  shall  draw  orders  upon 
the  City  (or  Village)  Treasurer  for  the  payment  of 
bills  which  the  board  orders  paid. 

5.  Librarian. — The  librarian  shall  have  charge  of 
the  library  and  reading-room  and  be  responsible  for 
the  care  of  the  books  and  other  library  property; 
classify  and  arrange  all  books  and  publications  and 
keep  the  same  cataloged  according  to  such  plans  as 
may  be  approved  by  the  board;  promptly  report  any 
delinquencies  to  the  committee  on  library;  keep  exact 
account  of  all  moneys  received  from  fines  and  other 
sources  and  report  the  amount  to  the  board  at  its  regu- 
lar meetings  in  January,  April,  July  and  October  and 
pay  all  balances  to  the  Secretary  at  the  designated 
meetings,  and  discharge  such  other  duties  as  may 
be  prescribed  by  the  board,  provided  that  in  the  per- 
formance of  his  duties  he  shall  not  incur  debt  or  liability 
of  any  kind  without  express  authority  from  the  board. 


Notes. — Many  small  libraries  will  find  it  sufficient 
to  hold  regular  meetings  once  in  three  months. 

When  the  librarian’s  receipts  from  fines  are  light 
he  may  be  allowed  to  retain  them  for  some  time  and 
to  pay  very  small  bills,  or  postage,  etc.,  from  them. 
When  settling  with  the  Secretary  he  may  pay  the  full 


28 


amounts  and  be  given  an  order  for  the  amount  of 
his  expenditures.  The  Secretary  should  pay  the  bal- 
ance to  the  City  Treasurer  before  the  time  for  the 
annual  meeting  and  report. 

When  a library  board  receives  considerable  sums  of 
money  from  subscription  or  other  sources  than  public 
taxation,  it  may  be  advisable  for  it  to  elect  a Trea- 
surer from  its  own  members.  In  such,  cases  that  officer 
should  give  adequate  bonds. 

Many  libraries  call  in  all  the  books  July  1 each 
year  for  the  annual  examination  which  precedes  the 
making  of  the  Annual  Report  to  the  common  council. 


APPENDIX  C 


AIDS  IN  SELECTING  BOOKS. 

CATALOG  OF  THE  AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION  LI- 
BRARY. 1893.  Free.  Address,  Bureau  of  Education, 
Washington,  D.  C.  Catalog  of  5,000  volumes  shown 
at  the  Columbian  Exposition.  Gives  authors,  titles, 
publishers  and  prices.  Shows  how  good  books  should 
be  cataloged  and  classified.  Includes  a model  dic- 
tionary catalog. 

LIST  OF  BOOKS  FOR  TOWNSHIP  LIBRARIES;  with  sup- 
plementary list  for  graded  and  high  school  libraries. 
Free.  Address,  State  Superintendent,  Madison,  Wis. 

SUGGESTIVE  LIST  OF  POPULAR  BOOKS  FOR  A SMALL  LI- 
BRARY. Wisconsin  Free  Library  Commission,  Madi- 
son, Wis.  2d  ed.  1898.  Free. 

LIST  OF  BOOKS  FOR  GIRLS  AND  WOMEN  AND  THEIR 
CLUBS.  Ed.  by  A.  H.  Leypoldt  and  George  lies.  Pa- 
per 50  cents;  cloth  $1.00.  1895.  Library  Bureau, 

Chicago. 

This  list  is  invaluable  to  every  librarian  or  member 
of  a book  committee  of  a public  library. 

CLASS  LIST  OF  A LIBRARY  RECOMMENDED  FOR  SCHOOLS. 

Second  edition,  revised.  1896.  Published  by  the  Uni- 
versity of  New  York,  Albany ^ N.  Y.-  Price,  five  cents. 

READING  FOR  THE  YOUNG,  AND  SUPPLEMENT.  A classi- 
fied and  annotated  catalogue,  by  J.  F.  Sargent,  com- 
bined with  supplement  by  Mary  E.  and  Abby  L.  Sar- 
gent. Cloth  $1.50.  Library  Bureau,  Chicago,  111. 


30 


LIST  OF  BOOKS  FOR  READING  AND  REFERENCE  IN  THE 
LOWER  GRADES  OF  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS.  Report  of*  a Com- 
mittee to  the  Library  Section  of  the  N.  E.  A.  Free. 
For  copies  address  F.  A.  Hutchins;  Madison,  Wis. 

ANNOTATED  BIBLIOGRAPHY  IN  FINE  ART.  Painting, 
Sculpture,  Architecture,  Arts  of  Decoration  and  illus- 
tration by  Russel  Sturgis,  and  music  by  H.  E.  Kreh- 
bel.  Edited  by  George  lies.  Paper  50  cents;  cloth 
$1.00.  Library  Bureau,  Chicago,  111. 

PUBLISHER'S  WEEKLY.  The  American  Book  trade 
journal.  $3.00  a year.  59  Duane  St.,  New  York  City. 

PUBLISHER’S  TRADE  LIST  ANNUAL.  The  latest  catalog 
of  American  book  publishers.  $2.00  a year.  Address, 
Publishers’  Weekly  Office,  59  Duane  St.,  New  Yo**k 
City. 

BOOK  BUYER.  Monthly.  $1.00  a year.  Charles 
Scribner’s  Sons,  New  York  City. 

BOOK  NEWS.  Monthly.  50  cents  a year.  John 
Wanamaker,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

CRITIC.  Monthly.  $2.00  a year.  289  Fourth  Ave., 
New  York  City. 

DIAL.  Semi-monthly.  $2.00  a year.  24  Adams 
St.,  Chicago,  111. 

NATION.  Weekly.  $3.00  a year.  Box  794  New 
York  City. 

LITERARY  WORLD.  Fortnightly.  $2.00  a year.  1 
Somerset  St.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Write  to  leading  publishers  for  catalogs,  which 
will  be  sent  free. 

LIBRARY  PERIODICALS. 

LIBRARY  JOURNAL.  Official  organ  of  the  American 
Library  Association.  Monthly.  $5.00  a year;  single 
number  50  cents.  59  Duane  St.,  New  York  City. 


31 


PUBLIC  LIBRARIES.  Edited  by  M.  E.  Ahern.  Of- 
ficial organ  of  the  Ohio  Library  Association.  Month- 
ly. $1.00  a year.  Single  numbers  20  cents.  Library 
Bureau,  125  Franklin  St.,  Chicago.  111. 

FITTINGS  AND  SUPPLIES. 

Catalogs  may  be  obtained  by  writing  to  Library 
Bureau,  125  Franklin  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

Fred  Macy  Co.,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

Globe  Co.,  Cincinnati,  O. 

# 


APPENDIX  D< 


OHIO  LIBRARY  STATISTICS. 

The  1896  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Education 
on  Public,  Society,  and  School  Libraries  in  the  United 
States,  gives  the  fullest  tabulated  statistics  of  Ohio 
libraries  published.  Many  new  libraries  have  been 
started,  however,  since  that  report  was  printed,  and 
many  of  those  already  established -have  been  reorgan- 
ized and  enlarged. 

It  is  exceedingly  desirable  to  obtain  complete  sta- 
tistics, which  shall  be  up  to  date,  of  all  the  libraries 
in  the  state.  The  Library  Extension  Committee  of  the . 
O.  L.  A.  is  endeavoring  to  gather  this  information, 
and  the  Commission  adds  its  request  to  theirs,  that 
all  persons  interested  in  libraries  in  the  state  send 
their  addresses  to  Miss  Alice  Boardman,  secretary 
Extension  Committee,  State  Library,  Columbus,  O., 
together  with  any  information  they  are  able  to  give 
concerning  new  libraries  in  the  state. 


